artist

David Mortenson

Bio: I have traveled to Asia, Europe, Central America and North America to photo-document various business projects, but I never fail to take time to photo other things of interest. My photos fall into two categories: beautiful, or interesting. Sometimes, of course, photos fit both categories at the same time.

I live on a small farm south of Houston, Texas. One of the boundaries for the farm is Chocolate Bayou, which feeds directly into Galveston West Bay and then the Gulf of Mexico. In this area, the opportunities for wildlife and nature photography are plentiful; I carry my camera gear with me most of the time. I have also spent time in Washington, Idaho, Oregon, British Columbia, Arizona, California, Wisconsin, and other places too numerous to mention. Again, the photo ops are always there if you are willing to look for them and take the time to shoot the picture. At home on the bayou, flowers and birds are the most plentiful subjects, and there is always something new if you are willing to slow down and look. Snakes, spiders and alligators are among my favorite subjects, along with bees, butterflies, dragonflies and the like. Don’t be surprised to see coyotes, armadillos, or bobcats.

Olga Dubisskiy

Sugar Land, TX

Medium: Mixed Media Artist & Sculptor

by Olga Dubisskiy

by Olga Dubisskiy

by Olga Dubisskiy

Bio: Olga Dubisskiy holds a Degree in visual arts and architecture from the National Academy of Arts, Kiev, Ukraine. Following the 6-year full time studies she worked in restoration of the Ukraine architectural heritage.

After visiting Venice, Italy in the 90s and inspired by carnival mask tradition Olga became interested in mask making and developed her own style and concept for a mask as an active interior component. Over 100 of Olga’s interior masks have been acquired for private collections in Europe and Americas.

In British Columbia (Canada) her visual art works and masks were selected for a number of juried exhibitions and appreciated by public. Strong academic background enables Olga to work in oil, acrylic and mixed media. She has also concentrated on sculpture. Her sculpture exhibition in Coquitlam’s Place des Arts (Canada) in 2004 earned coverage by national CBC-TV art news.

Christa Rollock

Bio: Christa Rollock’s journey began in a small town in Bavaria, Germany. From an early age she was drawn to all forms of art. Christa sang, drew and painted in school. She paid attention to the world around her and always dreamed about bringing this view to the canvas one day. It was in beautiful Bavaria, home of dreamy castles and dramatic mountain ranges, where she began to develop her artistic sensibilities.

After following her Military husband to the United States, Christa began painting in Acrylics at the age of 49 and is now a prolific artist.

Christa believes that the artistic process is the art and that there are only new experiences which go hand-in-hand with innovation, discovery and spirit. Her paintings are inspired by her passion for her family, travel and nature. She continues to draw inspiration anywhere and everywhere she finds herself.

Christa is happily married and the mother of two grown children and is currently living and working in Richmond, Texas. Artist statement: Much of my art is inspired by the world around me. Painting for me is like life: an emotional roller coaster of highs and lows, ups and downs. The creation of each piece of art allows me to express my emotions. It is a very cathartic process for me. I walk around each painting, play with colors, light and textures. Seeing the finished product is like seeing the world through my own interpretative lens.

Bill Megenhardt

Bio: Bill has always been drawn to storytelling in art via comic strips, comic books, and children’s picture books. He graduated from Kent State University with a degree in graphic design/ illustration. Working at ad agencies and doing commercial art didn’t achieve the satisfaction that he was looking for in his art career so Bill ventured into creating children’s books.

At this date he has illustrated over 30 picture books. Bill also teaches after school art at CityArtworks in Houston and conducts workshops on how to create picture books for children.

Artist Statement : I enjoy telling stories through pictures. Children’s books give me the flexibility and creativity to explore many subjects and styles in creating work that will be enjoyed by children and adults.

Laura Cantu Smith

I have been drawing and painting since I was a young child and I was blessed with wonderful art teachers and parents who fostered my talent and love for art. Born and raised in Richmond, Texas, I’m proud to be part of a close-knit and friendly community. I love to travel and go camping and hiking with my family: sons Austin and Alex, husband Greg.

I pursued art studies at The University of St. Thomas in Houston and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Fine Art. I studied abroad at the UST Rome, Italy campus and traveled to Greece and throughout Europe to see first-hand all of the art I studied in school. I have a special love for the Renaissance period and I have strived to learn from the masters. My influences have always been great architecture, sculpture, painting and the decorative arts throughout history.

After college I began a career in graphic design and have worked in advertising and corporate communications helping companies with their marketing messaging and branding. Illustration work was a way to keep my hand in the art world while I working in graphic design.

I’m currently painting in my studio primarily in oils on canvas building a portfolio for art licensing and fine art. I enjoy observing nature and painting and illustrating God’s creations and the colorful world around me.

Danielle Shea Gagliardi

Danielle Shea Gagliardi is a figure and landscape artist originally from Annapolis, Maryland. She has a degree in Studio Art with a focus on painting. She currently resides in Sugar Land Texas with her family and is a professional artist.

Danielle’s current body of work focuses on texture as a means to express tension and tranquility. Using a range of landscape subjects, she intentionally builds texture and dimension with paint. Leaving brush strokes highly visible and expressive, Danielle invites the viewer to feel emotion building within the painting.

Albert Goldreich

Bio: After being a potter since 1975 in South Africa, where my fascination for clay began, I have finally switched from clay to working with glass. After immigrating to the United States in 1981, I continued my pottery as a hobby.

In March 2005 my hobby became my full-time profession. After experimenting with clay using various techniques for 27 years, I finally developed a unique style which I have been told reflected my South African. The use of texture and color became my signature.

I am a founding member of 18 Hands Gallery in Houston, Texas. My work has been shown at Archway Gallery in Houston and Copper Shade Tree in Roundtop, Texas. I am the current world record holder on the potter’s wheel by one person, as recorded by the Book of Alternative Records. This record was set at 18 Hands Gallery in Houston, Tx on the 26th January 2008, with a time of 18 hours and 3 minutes, breaking the previous record by one hour and three minutes.

Now it remains to be seen where my glass art will take me. As I am now 76 years young I do not have 27 years to experiment and only time will tell. The most important thing of all is that I am enjoying the glass work immensely.

Ashley Banfield

Richmond Texas

Medium: Student Artist- Multiple Mediums

by Ashley Banfield

by Ashley Banfield

by Ashley Banfield

by Ashley Banfield

My name is Ashley Banfield. This is my junior year at Lamar High School. Art is my number one passion. I have been drawing since elementary school. There were you-tubers I watched to draw cartoon animals in Junior High. We work with many different mediums in class. This includes acrylics, colored pencils, pastels, charcoal, pen and ink, and water colors. My favorite is water colors. This summer a group of us along with my art teacher are going to Europe. We will travel to Paris, Rome, and Italy. I cannot wait to see all of the things we have been studying in person. I am so excited. My mother has always encouraged me to follow my dreams and not let others discourage me. She is giving me the chance to do just that this summer.

“Carlota” Clara Ines Toro

Sugar Land

Medium: Oil on Canvas

by “Carlota” Clara Ines Toro

by “Carlota” Clara Ines Toro

by “Carlota” Clara Ines Toro

Bio: My name is Clara Ines Toro – CARLOTA – and I was born in Colombia, South America. My passion for art started in the early years of my life. Even as a small child, I felt a connection between brush, color and canvas and my inner self. When I created images with these materials I felt that I was making something magical – a new form, a new window on reality. As I matured, I realized that my inspiration and focus came from forms, colors and lines and that the best way to express myself and represent my ideas and feelings was through painting.
By the time I finished high school, I focused all my energy and dedication on learning the trades of decoration combined with art. I explored different styles, ideas and artists. While doing so, I had the good fortune to be mentored by an accomplished and skillful Colombian painter, David Manzur. Through years of training, I discovered a passion for Abstract Art and a preference for using acrylics in my work, combined with oils as a resource of texture.
Creating new visual experience from the endless possible combinations of color, form and texture gives me both satisfaction and pleasure and expresses the profound link that I have with art.

Michelli Cockburn

Michelli resides and works in Houston, Texas, where she has expanded her art business under the name ARTmiration LLC to promote and sponsor Texas artists into international art exhibitions with organizations she has personally vetted and exhibited with. As a newly inducted member of the International Biennial Association, Michelli hopes to provide additional resources for artists to exhibit in more countries. She is also currently exploring art opportunities within the U.S. into which she can also promote and sponsor national and international artists.